Claw bar



Nov. 24, 1936. 1 A EY 2,051,754

CLAW BAR Filed. Dec. 27, 1934 Patented Nov. 24, 1936 UNlTED STATES PATENT oFFlc 2 Claims.

My invention relates in general to claw bars, and particularly to claw bars for extracting spikes used in the construction of railroad tracks.

The principal object of my invention is to provide a tool which will remove spikes from railway ties without bending the spikes.

Another object of my invention is to provide means whereby the leverage of the tool may be regulated.

Other objects of my invention will be apparent from the following description of the present preferred form thereof, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:-

Figure 1 is a side view of my improved tool completely assembled.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the claw bar as such.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the wedge used with my improved tool.

In the drawing, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, 4 designates the handle of the claw bar. The handle is offset, as shown at 5, to provide a heel 6, which serves as a fulcrum for a head I, the latter being inclined upwardly from the heel 6 and having therein an elongated slot 8. This slot has a tapered upper edge 9 constituting a jaw for the reception of the neck and head of a spike. This jaw is in approximate line withthe handle 4, so that a blow on the handle forces the jaw under the head of the spike.

Slidably mounted on the handle 4 is a wedge ll], which is provided with upstanding arms ll having their free ends apertured for the reception of a bolt l2. This wedge is kept in elevated position from the heel 6 by a lug l3, which is positioned on the handle 4, above the offset 5, and against which rests the bolt of the wedge ID, as shown to advantage in Figure 1. When it is desired to increase the leverage of the claw bar, the wedge I0 is released from the lug and slid along the handle 4 to a position directly beneath the heel 6.

To further increase the leverage of the claw bar, there is provided an auxiliary handle I4, which is slidably and removably mounted on the handle 4. The auxiliary handle, when in normal position on the handle 4, has its open end resting against a shoulder l5, thereby limiting the forward movement of the auxiliary handle I4 on the handle 4. A spring pressed catch I6 is hooked over the shoulder l5, to lock the auxiliary handle in place. 7

Another important feature of the auxiliary handle is its adaptability to be used when the jaw of the claw bar is driven under the head of the spike. Driving the claw bars, in use, a spike maul or a sledge hammer is required because of the inadequate length of the conventional handle, and because the conventional handle is out of alinement with the jaw, which receives the head-and neck of the spike. By providing my auxiliary handle M, which engages the shoulder l5, and which is in alinement with the jaw 9, the length of the handle 4 is increased, thereby permitting the use 10 of a small ordinary hammer, which is used against the free end of the auxiliary handle to force the handle against the shoulder Hi to drive the jaw 9 in engagement with the underside of the spike. Thus, there is eliminated the use of such heavy 15 tools as sledge hammers and spike mauls.

In use, after the auxiliary handle is locked in place, and the wedge is in the elevated position on the handle 4, the jaw of the head 1 is started under the spike, by driving the auxiliary handle l4 against the shoulder It. When the jaw of the head i has suficiently engaged the spike, the auxiliary handle is extended according to the amount of leverage desired, and the same is pushed downward, whereby the spike is started from the tie. The handle is then elevated and the wedge 10 is released from the lug l3 to permit the wedge to be placed immediately under the heel 6, whereupon downward pressure on the handle completely extracts the spike from the tie.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herein shown and described is to be taken as a preferred embodiment thereof, and that various changes in the construction, proportion and arrangement of parts may be made, without departing from the spirit of my invention, or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:-

l. A tool of the class described comprising a handle, an extracting head at one end of the handle, an auxiliary handle slidably and removably mounted on the first mentioned handle to increase the leverage of said handle, a shoulder mounted on the handle to limit the forward movement of the auxiliary handle, a spring pressed catch mounted on the auxiliary handle and adapt ed to engage said shoulder to maintain the auxiliary handle in fixed position, and means comprising a wedge with upstanding arms joined by a cross piece and adapted to be slidably mounted on the handle to increase the fulcrum of the head to accommodate the increased leverage of the auxiliary handle.

2. A tool of the class described comprising a handle, an extracting head at one end of the handle, an auxiliary handle slidably and removably mounted on the first mentioned handle to increase the leverage of said handle, a shoulder mounted on the handle to limit the forward movement of the auxiliary handle, a spring pressed catch mounted on the auxiliary handle and adapted to engage said shoulder to maintain the auxiliary handle in fixed position, a lug mounted on the first mentioned handle, and means comprising a Wedge with upstanding arms joined by a cross piece and adapted to be slidably mounted on the handle to increase the fulcrum of the head to accommodate the increased leverage of the auxiliary handle, said means being further adapted to be held in inoperative position by engagement of the cross piece with the lug.

ERNEST R. CASEY. 

